Yes this is the Proton Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing which was launch way back in March 30th 2010. I have given a chance to have a brief test drive of this car and oh boy it is a very interesting experience to be given a chance to drive this modified tuned by R3 and Lotus. But before I write about my experience driving this car, let me refresh you about this Proton Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing.
This Satria Neo has seen some upgrade to its engine where now the engine is producing 145bhp and 168Nm of torque that translated to a substantial increase of 25bhp and 18Nm of torque compared to the standard Campro CPS engine. With this upgrade the century sprint is now down to 9.2 seconds as compared to the standard stock car of 10.5 second of century sprint. Top speed is 200km/h up 10km/h compared to the standard Neo CPS M/T. This upgrade of power was contributed by having a R3-tuned camshaft profiles and also R3 Tuned Exhaust System.
Click on the link to continue reading and enjoy the pics that I have managed to snap during the test drive. A bit of surprise waiting for you. View to gallery to know more what I really mean by that. I'm sorry for the video that I have uploaded to youtube cannot be played here, you can view this exclusive video presentation about the Proton Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing by copy and paste the link as shown here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryHHTN0HtVk
In order to control this increase of power, Proton R3 division has also upgrade the brakes by installing a four pot AP Racing calipers at the front disc and a single pot AP Racing disc brake at the rear. If this is not enough, a good grip of rubber is needed and this Proton Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing has been upgraded with a light weight 16inch Advanti alloy wheels and wrapped with 205/45 Bridgestone Adrenalin tires. Other than that, Proton R3 division also has included a R3 Titanium Exhaust Headers, R3 alloy underdrive pulleys and also a R3 Carbon Fiber airbox.
In order to achieve a better century sprint, Proton R3 division also have shelve the kerb weight of the car by 62 kg and now the kerb weight of the car is now stands at 1150kg. In order to achieve a significant decrease of 62kg, Proton has change the standard hood with a carbon hood and also the fenders and bumper is now made of FRP (Fiber Reinforce Plastic) thus there is less weight over the front axle of the car.
To complete the whole circle, after having an improved engine performance, a better weight saving and a good stopping power, there is another important point that we need to look at to have a perfect sport tuned car which is the suspension. Thank god, this Satria Neo has seen the suspension upgraded to Ohlins DFV (Dual Flow Valve) fully adjustable coil over suspension with spring and damper rates tune according to the R3 inputs. Besides the suspension, the car also received a stiffened rubber bushes and revised suspension geometry which is translated to a direct feedback on the steering wheel and also cornering precision.
Well now, let me tell you how I feel driving this special edition Proton Satria Neo. Firstly the front seat of the car is way better compared to the standard Neo’s seat. The seat is now covered in Nappa leather and the grip of the front seat is very good to hold your body firmly. It is not as grip as a real sport seat by Recaro or other sport seat manufacturers, but the seat in the Satria Neo is good for a daily commute drive and the support and the padding is very much appreciated as compared to the real sports seats.
Other than that, to start the engine, now Proton R3 has made slight upgrade with an addition of a start button but it is not a start stop button. In order to start the car, you still need to key in your car key into the ignition and push to ACC, apply the brakes, and the push the start button key to fire up the engine. The noise produce by the exhaust is really great and burbling of the exhaust note is music to the ears if you are a sport car enthusiast. Slot in the gear, and way we go.
The 1st gear acceleration of the car is really great, the pulling power i.e. the torque is very much different as compared to the standard Neo CPS M/T and the exhaust note accompanied by the torque is very much alive and really makes you want to push the car even more. When go through all the gear, the top speed can be achieved effortlessly but when let say you want to drive the car out of a T junction and you are in 2nd gear, stepping the accelerator won’t push the car instantly. Seems like there is a bit of lag between the accelerator input and the actual power delivered by the engine.
The car will move in a pace but the actual acceleration can only be felt after about 2 to 3 seconds after you have floor the pedal. From my observation, this delay of input is a common character of a Campro engine and with the upgrades made by R3, seems like the inherit problem of the Campro engine is still there. As for handling of the car, my god, this car handles like a katana sword of the samurai, it is sharp and the steering is very direct, the car will go in whatever inputs that you have give to the steering and the body roll is kept at a minimum level. The stopping power supplied by the AP Racing calipers does perform a very commendable job to stop the car instantly after you have push the brake pedal and it seems that the brake does not have a fade effect even when you pound the car hard.
In terms of ride comfort, well the rule of thumb, if you want a good handling car, comfort must be sacrifice and this is what you will get when you are driving the Satria Neo R3 Lotus Racing. The suspension is very stiff and every bumps and road undulation can be felt by the driver of this car. To me I do understand this limitation, but to have this car as a daily commute car, wow you must have a real love to this car and a very strong back bone to absorb all the harshness of Malaysian road.
As you already know the car is price at RM 115,000 which I think a lot of money to pay for a Satria Neo. To tell you the truth, from my humble opinion, the price being offered by Proton is on the high side and the moment you drive the car and feel what the car can offered to you, it seems like you are paying a lot of money just to get this special edition car. To me Proton should make this car little more special by having like an 18inch alloy wheel, with a larger offset, a leather upholstered dashboard to make this car a truly a special edition car. To sum up my experience driving this car, I can award this car a 3 out of 5 star. A good car produce by Proton R3 but it can be better.
p/s Sorry for the picture quality. I only snapped this pic using my handphone so the quality is not as good as a proper camera shots.
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